Otago Volts Head Coach Rob Walter will depart Otago Cricket to take up the reigns as Head Coach of the Central Stags.  

After five years in charge, Walter has led the Otago Volts through a period of significant change which has resulted in quality development of high-performance systems and processes, team culture and player development.  Along with the recent elevation of Jacob Duffy to the BLACKCAPS, Michael Rae, Nathan Smith and Michael Rippon have all been elevated to NZ 'A'.  The Volts have competed in three play-offs including two finals over the past two seasons.    

Chief Executive Mike Coggan expressed his gratitude for the contribution Walter has made to Otago’s professional environment.  “Rob has transformed the way our players think and prepare for cricket.  We now have quality structures and processes in place and our new head coach will be able to seamlessly fit into our professional system”. 

Coggan wished Walter well for the next chapter in his coaching career.  “Rob is a career coach and I know he wants to coach a national team one day.  I know how committed, capable and passionate he is, and I have no doubt Rob will realise his ambitions at some point in the future”. 

Simon Forde, Manager Performance & Talent is grateful for the time, energy and expertise Rob has put in at Otago Cricket, “Rob has given the Volts and Otago Cricket his all, over the past 5 years. He has not only led the development of the Volts environment including our systems and growing our player base but has had a huge impact across the whole system here in Otago. He will be missed by the players and all at Otago Cricket, however he does leave the organisation in a good place, and we are very thankful for everything he has done for us”.

Forde indicated that Otago Cricket would look to fill the head coach position as soon as possible to ensure players are fully supported during the winter preparation phase. “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for our organisation to engage the services of a quality head coach, who can offer a different perspective and voice for our players, to further assist in their development”.  

Coggan pointed out that Walter’s decision to move on means that Otago Cricket also lose its Head of Events and Sponsor Relations. “We lose two high quality people with Rob’s wife Heather having professionally led our commercial department over the past three years. It will certainly be a sad day when this young family move north, but I am grateful for the level of skill and professionalism Heather has brought to our team at Otago Cricket.  All staff have professionally grown due to her sharing of experience and enthusiasm”.

*ENDS*

Article added: Monday 19th April, 2021.